Although the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd may sound new to some, it has been in development and use for over 50 years. It has grown in use and spread into 19 countries. In the United States there are hundreds of atria in Episcopal and Roman Catholic settings, as well as in several other Christian churches.

At All Saints' Episcopal Church, we have three atria for children ages 3-12, divided as follows: Level One/3-6 yr; Level Two/6-9 yr; Level Three/ 9-12 yr. All of the atria are arranged in such a way that certain areas within them are dedicated to important events and liturgy of the Church. For example, an area is set aside for work with the articles of the Eucharist and another is dedicated to the sacrament of Baptism. Other parts of the room house dioramas depicting key events in the life of Jesus (Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation in the Temple, Visit of the Magi, and the Last Supper) and works on the parables. Also present in each atria is a prayer table where the children can gather, pray, and sing.

Each space has been prepared with much intention and thought to developmental appropriate materials that build on each other. These rooms are called an atrium individually, or atria collectively. Each specially prepared space contains hands-on materials that children can prayerfully work with and use. The materials are simple and beautiful, and most are hand-made.

In Level One (ages 3-6), practical life lessons – such as pouring and pencil sharpening – serve to cultivate independence, a sense of order, focus, and calm as children are drawn into religious lessons centering on the love of the Good Shepherd and liturgical lessons focusing on traditions of the Church.

In Level Two, children begin to work collectively, planning communal prayer services as well as continue individual lessons focused on the History of the Kingdom of God, moral formation, liturgy of the Church, all culminating with sacramental preparation for the Rite of Reconciliation and the Solemn Communion offered in Level II for 3rd graders.

In Level Three, for 4th and 5th graders, children explore the Old Testament, learn about the History of our Christian liturgy tradition tracing it back to the history of the Jewish people, participate in a “model” Passover, tour a synagogue, and receive individual lessons on sacraments, virtues, and our personal response to the gifts of God.

For 5th and 6th graders, we offer “Learning and Living the Life of Christ”. This class is developed and taught by Win Schepps. From the angel appearing to Mary to the upper room on Pentecost, this class will study the life of Jesus Christ and reflect on how we can live more Christ-like lives based on Christ’s Final Commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Service Projects include: serving at St. Andrew’s Soup Kitchen, helping at St. Martin’s retirement home for “The Blessing of the Animals,” preparing a meal for the homeless families that stay at All Saints’, doing a one-hour prayer vigil on Maundy Thursday, and end of the year car wash to raise funds for a charity of the children’s choice, and many more.

We also offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation courses for adults. This formation is designed to attune participants to the religious life of the child and to provide specific methods and materials to foster the child's spiritual life. The courses not only give participants a chance to explore the general philosophy and methodology of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd but also provide has a time of valuable spiritual reflection. Participants in the formation courses become part of a community that shares a vision. That vision of children's religious formation is both profound and full of joy.

These classes meet during the Sunday school hour, from 10:00 am-10:50 am.

For more information about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, please visit www.cgsusa.org.